Grain Loading Self-Study Assignment

Assignment Task

Module 1 - The International Grain Code

1.1 Objectives

Upon completion of this module, the student should:

1.1.1 Understand why the loading and carriage of bulk grain is regulated.

1.1.2 Be familiar with the assumptions on which the International Grain Code is based.

1.1.3 Be familiar with the requirement for leveling/trimming, as applied to grain loading.

1.1.4 Understand the concepts of grain heeling moments and volumetric heeling moments.

1.1.5 Have a basic understanding of how volumetric heeling moments for slack and full compartments are calculated.

1.1.6 Understand the concept of vertical shift of grain.

1.1.7 Be aware of the diversity of ways that data on grain heeling moments can be presented in the ship’s Grain Loa

Questions

1. How can we determine whether the Grain Code requirements should apply to a particular agricultural commodity when it is shipped in bulk?

2. What will be the assumed void depth for a filled hatchway if the hatch cover has a depth of 45 cm and is fitted with a strengthening midlength beam extending down 15 cm below the level of the coaming? 

3. What is the minimum void depth assumed by the Grain Code?

4. To what angle does the Code assume the grain will shift in a partially filled compartment? 1.3.3.1 What is the angle of repose? Would a larger angle of repose allow more or less cargo to be loaded in a hold? Explain your answer.

5. Why does the Grain Code require all free grain surfaces to be level?

6. Does a cargo compartment have to be classified as specially suitable for the status of filled compartment, untrimmed to apply?

7. The grain capacity of Hold No. 4 is 9255 m⊃3;. The ship has just received a message from its agent that the stowage factor of the wheat scheduled to be loaded is expected to be 43.5 ft⊃3;/LT. How many metric tons of that cargo can Hold No.4 accommodate?

8. A 10555 m⊃3; grain capacity hold was loaded full with a cargo of corn weighing 7800 LT. What was the actual stowage factor? Show your answer in both metric and English units.

9. Why do vessels’ Grain Loading Booklets list volumetric heeling moments instead of the actual grain heeling moments expressed in mt-m or ft-LT?

10. What would be the maximum grain heeling moment in mt-m for a compartment that is 25.5 m long, 26.2 m wide and is partially loaded with corn (SF = 47.8 ft⊃3;/LT)?

11. A 23.4 m wide and 37.2 m long cargo hold is being fitted with a centerline bulkhead. What will be the new maximum volumetric heeling moment for that compartment? What was the previous maximum moment, before installation of the centerline bulkhead?

12. The vessel’s Grain Loading Booklet lists only the geometrical vertical centers of gravity for fully loaded holds. How should we calculate and apply the vertical shifting moments in such a case?

13. The Grain Loading Booklet pages showing tables of volumetric heeling moments for each cargo hold do not contain any information concerning vertical shifting moments. Should we assume that, in such a case, no vertical moment correction applies? Or, should we investigate further? If so, what steps should we take?

14. Using the table in 1.2.6, calculate the Grain Heeling Moment for Hold No. 1 for the following condition. Apply the correction for the vertical rise in G to the transverse heeling moment and disregard the vertical heeling moment tabulated information.

Ullage Height: 1.60 m

Stowage Factor: 1.393 m3 /mt

Module 2 - Stability Requirements for Vessels Loading Bulk Grain – Stability Criteria and Methods of Compliance

Objectives

Upon completion of this module, the student should:

2.1.1 Understand the stability criteria required by the International Grain Code for vessels loading bulk grain.

2.1.2 Understand the term Angle of Flooding.

2.1.3 Understand how a Statical Stability Diagram is constructed for a vessel loaded with bulk grain.

2.1.4 Understand how the Maximum Allowable (Permissible) Heeling Moment can be calculated for a particular loading condition.

2.1.5 Know how to use a Maximum Allowable Heeling Moments table or curves.

2.1.6 Understand the methods of reducing a grain heeling moment by installing a longitudinal division or, in applicable cases, a saucer. Also, understand how the grain heeling moment of a partly filled compartment can be eliminated by over-stowing, strapping or lashing, completed in accordance with the International Grain Code requirements det.

Questions 

1. Is it true that a vessel loaded with grain always complies with initial GM requirements if it has a GM of at least 0.30 m? 

2. Is it true that a vessel loaded with grain always complies with the Code’s angle of heel requirement if that angle is not greater than 12º? 

3. Convert 0.098 meter-radians to meter-degrees, 7.88 foot-degrees to meterradians, 285 degrees to radians and 0.101 meter-radians to foot-radians.

4. What will be the approximate value of a heeling arm at 40º if at 0º it equals 0.19 m? 

5. The vessel’s projected displacement on arrival at the discharge port is going to be 47500 mt and the GZ at 12º will equal 0.31 m. Calculate the Maximum Allowable Heeling Moment based only on the 12º angle of heel.

Module 3 - Stability Requirements for Vessels Loading Bulk Grain – International Grain Code Requirements and U.S. Alternatives 

Objectives

Upon completion of this module, the user should:

3.1.1 Understand the terms Specially Suitable Compartment, Filled Compartment, Trimmed and Filled Compartment, Untrimmed.

3.1.2 Understand the meaning, content and legal significance of a Document of Authorization.

3.1.3 Know the conditions under which a ship without a Document of Authorization may be permitted to load bulk grain.

3.1.4 Be familiar with the procedure for accepting vessels to load bulk grain at United States’ ports.

3.1.5 Be familiar with the content of the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular No. 5-94 (NVIC 5-94).

3.1.6 Be familiar with Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (46CFR), §172.030 governing Exemptions for certain vessels.

3.1.7 Be familiar with stability requirements for existing ships.

Questions

Explain the term specially suitable compartment.

1. Explain the difference between the terms filled compartment, trimmed and filled compartment, untrimmed.

2. The stowage plan prepared for the upcoming voyage complies with the stability requirements of the Grain Code. Is this enough to fully demonstrate that the plan is sound? Explain your answer.

4. A 32000 mt deadweight vessel, built in 2002, is chartered to load a 15000 mt parcel of bulk grain. The vessel has a Grain Loading Booklet, but the booklet does not bear any approval stamps and the vessel does not seem to have a Document of Authorization. Derivation of Volumetric Heeling Moments is not shown and there is insufficient time for these calculations to be prepared and approved. Can the vessel currently load the projected cargo and still comply with the Grain Code? Explain your answer.

5.  A vessel has obtained an authority to load a parcel of bulk grain under option A9 of the Code. Would a GM of 0.30 m be sufficient to comply with the Code? Explain your answer.

6. A vessel does not possess a Document of Authorization. Does the lack of this document violate any International Conventions? If so, which one(s)? 3.3.4.1 What document must a vessel acquire before it can load bulk grain at a United States’ port?

7. A vessel previously registered in Panama has all grain documents properly approved by Panamanian authorities. The vessel was sold last week to a company whose ships are registered in Vanuatu. Can the vessel, now flying the Vanuatu flag, use the documents already on board to load bulk grain in the United States? Explain your answer. 

8. Any bulk grain laden vessel, to which the Grain Code applies, must obtain a certain document before sailing from a U.S. port. What is this document?

9. What does the document referred to in 3.3.5.1 above attest to?

10. A vessel with bulk grain on board is scheduled to sail from Charleston, SC to Tampa, FL. Can the vessel use exemptions contained in 46 CFR, §172.030 on this voyage? Explain your answer.

11. Would the same answer apply if the voyage were from Tampa, FL to Houston, TX?

12. Explain the meaning of the term existing ship, as used in the Grain Code.

Module 4

Stability Requirements for Vessels Loading Bulk Grain–Grain Stability Calculations

Objectives

Upon completion of this module, the student should:

4.1.1 Be familiar with the NCB Grain Stability Calculation Form and be able to calculate a vessel’s grain stability for a given voyage.

4.1.2 Be familiar with the content and use of Addendum # 1 to the NCB Grain Stability Calculation Form.

4.1.3 Be familiar with the content and use of Addendum # 2 to the NCB Grain Stability Calculation Form.

Questions

1. The M.V. Huron (General Information for Grain Loading, pages 73 – 81) has new orders. Now the vessel is scheduled to load 52800 mt cargo (1325 mt less), and the port of discharge is Chittagong instead of Shanghai. Steaming distance to Chittagong was calculated to be 8750 miles. The vessel will take 550 mt fuel oil (density 0.960 mt/m3 ) in No. 1 DB (C) and, during the voyage, will consume fuel from No. 3 DB (C) first and then No. 2 DB (C). It is still intended to load holds Nos. 2, 3 and 5 full and the decrease in the amount of cargo will result in 525 mt less grain loaded into hold No. 1 and 800 mt less grain loaded into hold No. 4.

Vessel’s speed and daily consumption are unchanged.

Departure KM = 13.36 m

Arrival KM = 13.34 m

Assume that the average TPC is 56.6 mt

Determine the revised cargo quantity and distribution and complete a new calculation for the voyage to Chittagong, using the attached blank Grain Stability Calculation Form.

2. If a Grain Stability Calculation indicated that stability may be questionable upon arrival at discharge port, how could the condition potentially be improved during the voyage? How would this be shown on the Grain Stability Calculation Form? Assume that there are no draft or deadweight limitations after departure.